Popularity of e-readers increases

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The Pew Internet and American Life project reports that the number of U.S. adults with an e-book reader doubled from 6% to 12% between November 2010 and May 2011 (the report also notes that tablet ownership is growing much more slowly).  We wonder how much that figure might increase with the introduction of four new Amazon Kindle devices yesterday, including the Kindle Fire tablet.  

In a true sign of the times, IKEA is introducing a new, deeper version of its popular  “BILLY” bookcase  and offers glass doors for its bookshelves to cater to those customers who use these products to display more trinkets and fewer books. 

See also:

• Kindle vs. Nook vs. iPad: Which e-book reader should you buy? (there's a great video on how to set up a Nook to borrow books from your local public library)
• The transformation of the book industry: Disappearing ink
• E-readers and magazines: It's still good to have gatekeepers
• eBook Sales Up 167% in June
• Booktrack Create Soundtracks for eBooks
• Textbook Developer Adds YouTube Videos to E-Books
• As Textbook Formats Multiply, New Services Help Students Compare Options
• Amazon Working on a Netflix for Books

Did your smartphone come in handy during your summer vacation?

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Did you find your that your smartphone came in handy during your summer vacation?  Any plans to have a last-minute vacation over the Labor Day weekend?  Of course, apps like Google Maps and mobile GPS are useful when navigating your way to/from and around a new city, but there are tons of other useful apps that we've been hearing about, check out the links below for app downloads for your next vacation (yes, we're already thinking that far ahead!):

 

• Break Down the Language Barrier Using A Mobile Phone

• Tech Talk Podcast: Vacation Apps

• 10 Best iPhone Apps For Vacationers

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  12 Terrific Tips for Taking Tech on Vacation  -  well 11 really, the starter pistol suggestion is a bit extreme!!

• The Best Summer Apps

 

Follow the links below to find apps to download for your kids during your next vacation:

 

• iPhone/iPad: The Best iPhone apps for kids, 25 iPhone apps for kids, PBS on iPhone/iPad
• Android
• Windowns Phone 7
• BlackBerry

TIP: How to publish your writing as an e-book

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Some novelists, poets, researchers and other writers are choosing to digitally self-publish their works as electronic books or  "e-books."  With the popularity of devices such as Amazon’s Kindle, Barnes & Noble’s Nook, Apple’s iPad, and other e-readers and tablet PC’s, sales of e-books are increasing making this a great alternative to publishing via an established publishing company.  And if you are eco-conscious, some argue that e-books and readers may have a smaller carbon footprint that traditional print books.

Some key things to remember if you are publishing an e-book:

• Take time to edit your work, just as an editor at a publishing company would do.
• Format your e-book file properly before uploading to your e-book vendor for a clean, professional look.  Also, you may have to create different formats (HTML, Word document, PDF, ePub) of your e-book if you use multiple vendors - do research to find out the best format for each vendor.
  • For Microsoft Word files, be sure to remove any headers, footers and page numbers in your file.  Then create a Table of Contents for your file, preferably one that is "clickable" and will take readers directly to a desired section of your e-book.
  • Word documents are not edit-proof and can be transferred to other computers so we recommend that you convert files created in Word to PDF format before issuing as an e-book.  Try Abode's free PDF converter (limit of 5 files) or download a free printer driver such as PDF995 that allows you to print your documents as PDF files.
    • If using Word to publish for the Microsoft Reader format, follow the layout guide, download here and the conversion guide, download here.  You can encrypt your Microsoft Reader e-book file to protect your copyright.
• The quality and capabilities of e-readers varies widely so keep graphics and font styling simple to ensure that all readers can view your content as intended.

Amazon has a great video tutorial on how to publish to Kindle.

The CreativePenn.com offers tips on publishing for the iPad, here.

Check out ABC News’ coverage of authors who have self-published e-books.

 See also:

• Barnes & Noble's PubIt self-publishing platform goes live
• 6 Ways to Publish Your Own Book  - Blurb.com is mentioned as one of the sites that allow you to upload posts from your blog and publish them as a book.
• How Writers Can Turn Their Archives into eBooks
• The Reinvention of Print, One App at a Time
• Friday Project releases e-book ahead of print 
• 200 Bloggers, 200 Books, 56 Publishers And One Hour - On Nov 10, at 1p.m., 200 bloggers will simultaneously publish reviews of 200 books printed on eco-friendly paper to raise consumer awareness about considering the environment when making book purchases.  Participation this year has doubled from 2009.

What's so great about Apple's iPad?

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Curious to know why some think Apple's iPad is so great?  Or maybe you think it's overrated?  Check out PC Magazine's review of the device to learn more then make up your own mind.